Coco Chanel revolutionised the fragrance world when Chanel No 5 was released in 1921. She wanted "a fragrance that smells like a woman." When perfume designer Ernest Beaux presented her with his 5th composition, the choice seemed simple and obvious. Her perfume would be called No 5. 5 was her lucky number. Chanel No 5 is a fragrance that is very complex and which does not allow any of the fragrant components to be isolated out of the composition – the perfume should not smell like a rose, or a lily of the valley, but as a composition. Leader of the aldehyde floral family, the top note soars with hesperidia followed by a floral bouquet of jasmine from Grasse and May Rose. Sandalwood and vetiver give the base notes a woody touch. The perfume owes its mysterious facets to the presence of numerous aldehydes. No 5 Is considered to be a timeless classic and it remains one of the best selling fragrances on the market today.